Budget error allowing miners to escape $700,000 in council fees to be rectified

An alleged typographical error which undercharged miners to the tune of $700,000 in council rates during 2023-24 will be rectified after Port Hedland council voted to adjust UV mining rates post hoc. Although it is not known exactly how the error occurred, Town officers allege the error was caused by a simple typographical mistake in the July 2023 council meeting agenda. The addition of an extra “1” in the 2023-24 budget reduced the effective UV Mining rate from what was intially proposed, costing the Town $691,418 in revenue. “You can easily see how mistakes are made. Clearly it was just a slip of the pen or the tap of a keyboard in the wrong direction,” Deputy Mayor Ash Christensen said while debating the item. “We are being open and transparent and honest in saying that we are going to authorise the chief executive to make an application to SAT (State Administrative Tribunal) and see what they determine.” “It’s a fair bit of money to be throwing back to the miners,” Cr Sven Arentz said. “Why didn’t the auditors pick it up? Why didn’t we fix it up in the budget we just adopted last month? Lets find out where the mistakes have been made so we know for next time,” Cr Camilo Blanco said. The Town of Port Hedland chief executive will now make an application to the State Administrative Tribunal to have the rate quashed. Upon SAT approval, council can adopt the corrected rate for 2023-24.